Page 172 of 250

Rav4(U)
1642000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Getting more kilometers/mileage from a
liter/gallon of fuel is easy—just take it
easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See Section
7−2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm−up idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Always keep the automatic transmis-
sion overdrive switch turned on.
Driving with the overdrive switch off
will reduce the fuel economy. (For de-
tails, see “Automatic transmission” in
Section 1−6.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use
a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop−and−go driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal. This causes premature
wear, overheating and poor fuel econo-
my.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-
ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.
Keep your vehicle tuned−up and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease,brakes not adjusted, etc. all
lower engine performance and contrib-
ute to poor fuel economy. For longer
life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle
receives more frequent maintenance.
(For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the ”Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner ’s Manu-
al Supplement”).
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer, too
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Page 204 of 250

Rav4(U)
1962000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. For folding−up rear seat-
backs, check that the latches lock secure-
ly.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.Automatic transmission ”Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ”P” position and all brakes re-
leased.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Section 7−3 for additional in-
formation.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the ”FULL” and ”LOW” lines on the see−
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is between upper and lower lev-
el lines on the case. Add only distilled
water when replenishing. See Section 7−3
for additional information.
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Page 230 of 250

Rav4(U)
2222000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Replacing light bulbs—
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the
wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and require special handling.
They can burst or shatter if scratched
or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its
plastic or metal case. Do not touch
the glass part of a bulb with bare
hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
Light bulbsBulb
No.WTy p e
Headlight
Inner
Outer
HB3
HB460
51B
A
Parking and front
turn signal lights1157NA27/8C
Front side marker
lights2175D
Rear side marker
lights1943.8D
Rear turn signal
lights744021D
Stop and tail lights744321/5D
Back−up lights744021D
License plate light1685D
High mounted
stop light
Hardtop
Soft−top
921
744018
21D
D
Interior light—8E
Light bulbsBulb
No.WTy p e
Personal light
(with moon roof)—10C
Personal lights
(without moon
roof)
—8C
A: HB4 halogen bulbs
B: HB3 halogen bulbs
C: Single end bulbs
D: Wedge base bulbs
E: Double end bulbs
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Page 232 of 250
Rav4(U)
2242000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.a: Front side marker light
b: Parking and front turn signal light
—Rear side marker lights
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.
—Parking, front turn signal
and front side marker lights
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Page 233 of 250
Rav4(U)
2252000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.a: Back−up light
b: Rear turn signal light
c: Stop and tail light
—Rear turn signal, stop and
tail, and back−up lights
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Page 244 of 250

Rav4(U)
2362000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Instrument panel
19. ECU−IG 10 A: Electronically controlled
automatic transmission system, rear
window defogger, center differential
lock system, electric moon roof, multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system, electric
cooling fan, anti−lock brake system,
cruise control system
20. TURN & GAUGE 10 A: Turn signal
lights, gauges and meters, back−up
lights, service reminder indicators, air
conditioning system, daytime running
light system
Passenger’s side kick panel
21. STOP 10 A: stoplights, high mounted
stoplight, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, anti−lock
brake system
22. TAIL 15 A: Gauges and meters, emer-
gency flashers, cigarette lighter, center
differential lock system, clock, rear win-
dow defogger, air conditioning system,
electronically controlled automatic
transmission system, car audio system,
tail lights, license plate lights, parking
lights, instrument panel light control,
side marker lights
23. OBD 10 A: On−board diagnosis system
24. SRS−B 10 A: SRS warning light25. HORN 10 A: Horn
26. DEFOG 20 A: Rear window defogger
27. AM1 10 A: ”CIG”, ”PWR OUTLET”,
”SRS−ACC”, ”WIPER”, ”ECU−IG” and
”TURN & GAUGE” fuses
28. A/C 10 A: Air conditioning system
Fuses (type B)
29. MAIN No.1 40 A: Starting system, ”H−
LP (RH)”, ”H−LP (LH)”, ”H−LP RH−H”,
”H−LP LH−H”, ”H−LP RH−L” and ”H−LP
LH−L” fuses
30. CDS FAN 30 A: Electric cooling fans
31. RDI FAN 30 A: Electric cooling fans
32. PWR 30 A: Power door lock system,
electric moon roof, power windows
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